Fractured Spine

SennieSlave

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Apologies for making a new thread but didn't want it to get lost on my "Something's Wrong" thread - as I'm looking for help and anyone who has had the same.

Took my Ri back to the vets today, as he hasn't really improved. Hope it's ok to copy my post I have on another site (I'm trying to find anyone who has had similar experiences - and I can't write much as hands are bad right now) .......


Got back from vet a little while ago. It hasn't sunk in yet. He has a fractured spine.

They were only able to do one x ray because his breathing was bad under anesthetic and he started to bring up clear fluid. His breathing is still not great, and he seems to be throwing up a little. I'm watching him closely.

The vet said that he's never seen a bird with this kind of fracture on its spine that wasn't dead from it immediately, or died soon after, paralysed - so the fact Ri has gone 5 days with it and is moving around, is a testament to what a fighter he is. He said he must be in incredible pain.

He said he could refer me to someone who could operate but he doesn't think he's make it through the anesthetic. Basically it's just watch and wait. He says he doesn't know if he will make it or not. He said, even if the fracture mends, there could be all sorts of complications - neurological damage, infection etc. Or he could just give up, because of the stress of being in so much pain.

He's given me more pain relief and also some antibiotics and anti fungal medicine. I shall get the names later (in my bag and don't want to get up, as Ri is resting on me). I asked if they could overload his system, taking all those at once and he said it was a chance I should take.

All I can do is keep him as still as possible, and as comfortable as possible. He said the next few weeks will show if he's going to make it or not. I have to go back next week.

To say I'm devastated, is an understatement. If he had damage and couldn't move, then I would adapt everything and still make his life happy - but I'm so scared he will get internal damage, or infection from this, as it fuses together (if it does). What has broken my heart more is the fact that he must be in agony but is trying to lean across to catch my tears and is making soft cooing noises at me, as if to reassure me. My brave boy. He seems to want to fight it - so I'm fighting it with him.

Has anyone had a bird with a fractured spine, who is still ok and made it? I'm not finding much online - just about birds who died instantly.
 
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4dugnlee

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Oh I'm so sorry he and you are going through this! Prayers your way...
 

Kiwibird

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I am so sorry to hear about his injury:( The fact he made it through the first 24 hours makes me believe he will more than likely make it. That's pretty amazing! Especially now since he will be on pain meds and preventative antibiotics/antifungals, which will probably cover the major risks he's facing at this point. I've never heard of a bird with a fractured spine, but my moms GCA had a serious stroke that debilitated him for several months and the vet was shoked he pulled through AND recovered back to near-normal mobility. Sometimes our feathered friends can really really surprise us in their ability to heal. Hoping the best for your little guy!
 
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SennieSlave

SennieSlave

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Thank you both.

The meds he has been given are -

0.02ml Metacam (pain reliever) once daily
0.06 mls Baytril 2.5% (antibiotic) twice daily
0.15 ml Itrafungol (anti fungal) once daily

I'm paranoid I'll overload his system with meds now.
 
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Terry57

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I am so sorry for you both:( I hope that the pain meds are able to take away his pain, and that he heals with no permanent damage done. What a horrible thing to happen, my heart breaks for you.
 

Birdman666

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I've never seen this before where the bird survived, but I have seen injured parrots adapt and survive to various handicaps.

This would really be a pain and quality of life thing to me. See if he appears to be recovering function. See how he does. But if he has no quality of life, and appears to be in constant "I can't move" pain, then it might be more merciful to put him down.

That would be a hard call to have to make.
 

JerseyWendy

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GASP! :eek: Oh my goodness!!! I am truly so very sorry to hear about Ri's broken spine.

I agree with April. He's pulled through so far, he's a strong little guy.

I'll be praying that he makes a full recovery for you. If it were me, I wouldn't risk the surgery.

Thank you again for the update. I was truly hoping for much better news. :( HUGS to you!!!
 

jbirge

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I know nothing about this kinda thing but it strikes me that a pain killer may not be wise in that it may encourage movement and I suspect movement is not desirable.

I can not imagine how difficult this must be for you. I'll include you and Ri in my prayers also...

John
 
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SennieSlave

SennieSlave

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Thank you everyone.
Yeah, I thought about the quality of life thing but he seems to want to keep fighting.

I'm not really discovering much online about it. The vet said that it can heal but it will take a while. The problem is the complications that can come with that - infection etc.

I'll be giving him his meds and keeping him as still as possible. I'll keep fighting for him, as long as he wants to.

I'm heartbroken. I was only moaning about him the other day - how he was driving me crazy by constantly wanting to dance, scream and be velcroed on me. Just goes to show that you have to be thankful for what you have. It kills me that he may never dance again (his favourite thing).

I can still give him a good quality of life, as long as there are no more problems. I'm lucky to be able to be with him 24/7. To look at his face and know he is in so much pain, is unbearable. The guilt is worse.

Here's my baby. Please pray for him, if you could. Thank you.
 

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labell

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Oh my goodness how heart breaking, I am so sorry for the pain both of you are going through and hope for a full recovery!
 

faeryphoebe1

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I'm praying for Ri. Poor sweetheart. I hope that his pain diminishes greatly and that he is able to heal, somehow. I'm so sorry. (((hugs)))
 

Scott

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Ri's diagnosis of a broken spine brings me to tears, yet his will to survive offers hope and encouragement. If you are able to manage his pain it will brighten your collective outlooks and allow his body to heal. As others have said, avians are wonderfully resilient.

Unless you are totally comfortable with Ri's vet, you may wish to seek a second opinion. Either way, continue to research his condition and you may hit on some sort of creative therapy.

Please, please keep us advised.
 
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SennieSlave

SennieSlave

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Thank you everyone, for your good wishes.

On another forum I'm on, someone has a cockatoo who had a fractured spine and is doing ok a year later. That gives me a bit of hope.
Going to ring vet tomorrow, as didn't take much in today about which part of the spine it's on. Then I'm back there in a week.

Just put Ri to bed and I said to him "what you done, you silly boy" and he blew me a very quiet raspberry.

I'm worried about his breathing, so just praying he makes it through tonight. Maybe it's because he's in pain, or from the anesthetic but it's quite labored (not through mouth though). The vet knows this and said it's just one of those things and we have to wait and see - nothing more to be done right now.

Hopefully he'll keep fighting, as I know he wants to.
 

Allee

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Ri, is just beautiful. I'm so sorry about the accident and even sorrier for what you and Ri have been through.

I think the fact that he is alert and able to move around is an indication there is plenty of room to hope for a full recovery. I think your decision to fight with him as long as he wants to fight is the best decision for both of you.

I'll add my prayers to so many others for Ri's complete recovery. Hugs to you. Try to stay strong.
 

Sunset_Chaser

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I'm sorry to hear this! He sounds like he is an amazing little guy, sending prayers your way!
 
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SennieSlave

SennieSlave

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Thank you for all your kind thoughts.

He's still with us, though he gave me a fright in the night.

He had a night fright - due to being wobbly on his perch I think. His heart was racing and I thought I was going to lose him - not to mention him flapping around before I could get to him (about 30 seconds but it seemed like a lifetime). That's all he needs, when he's meant to be still.
I took him under the duvet with me for a snuggle and he calmed down ok.

I tried again with his travel cage and towels down, for him to sleep on - but he decided he wasn't having that and I had to keep stopping him from hanging upside down from the top. He hates sleeping, unless on a perch. So I put his perch just about an inch above the bottom, with towels underneath and he settled on that. Going to try and get a tank, or something with smooth sides today - preferably for day time - so he can't climb.

Was so scared this morning to lift the covers up - but there he was blowing kisses at me. He's just had a big breakfast - pellets, cherries, blueberries, apple, melon, piece of orange, sugar snap peas, mange tout, baby corn, some nuts, wholegrain toast with a little coconut oil on.

Has had his meds and now he's sitting, grinding his beak. His breathing still seems deep and like it's an effort but the vet says that's due to pain. Am calling the vet again in a few hours between his appointments to ask a few more things.

Worried that he'll have a reaction to the meds but I know it's better he has them, in case he gets an infection.
 
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SennieSlave

SennieSlave

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Quick update -

Just spoke to vet and he said the fracture is about a cm cranial of (think that means above) the synsacrum (need to look that up). Also that there a bend in his spine now, which could have done with a second x ray to look at better - but being as his breathing was bad, they wouldn't chance it.

No CT scan for now, as he wouldn't get through the anesthetic. His breathing could be stress or pain, or the beginning of an infection - which is why he has the antibiotics and anti fungals.

No Tramadol because it's too sedating and his breathing isn't up to it.

I said about his poos being darker today. They're not black, but much darker green. He said just keep an eye on him and it's good that he's eating.

So, it's just time now - which is going so slowly. Back to see him next week.
 
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critterman

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Sennsieslave so sorry to hear about what you and your little bird are going through. Hugs, prayers, and warm wishes are going your way. Keep us updated please. If he looks like he is not responding to the meds or getting better you might want to think about putting him down so he doesn't suffer too much. Hard decision but it might be better for him not to suffer.
 

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